he is old, he will not depart from it." The power of education has been tried, to make children of a ferocious, blood-thirsty character. Let it now have a fair chance, to see what it will do towards making mild, friendly and peaceful citizen's.

As there is an aversion to war in the breast of a large majority of people in every civilized community; and as its evils have been recently felt in every christian nation; is there not ground to hope, that it would be as easy to excite a disposition for peace, as a disposition for war? If then, peace societies should be formed, and such means be put in operation, as have been suggested, is it not very certain, that the most beneficial effects would result? Would they not gradually produce an important change in the views and state of society, and give a new character to christian nations? What institution or project would more naturally unite all pious and virtuous men ? And on what efforts could we more reasonably hope for the blessing of the God of peace ?

Should prudent, vigorous, and well conducted efforts be made, in a century from this time, the nations of Christendom may consider human sacrifices, made by war, in the same light they now view the ancient sacrifices to Moloch; or in the light of wanton and deliberate murder. And such a change in the views of men must conduce to the security and stability of human governments, and to the felicity of the world. As soon as christian nations are impressed with the importance of this change, they may find access to the heathen. But while christians indulge the custom of war, which is in truth the very worst custom in the world, with what face can they reprove the heathen, or assume among them the office of instructers ! " Physician, heal thyself."

The Bible Societies, already formed in various parts of the world, must naturally, and even necessarily aid the object now proposed. Indeed, the two objects are so congenial, that whatever promotes the one, will aid the other. Nor is it easy to see how any Bible Society could refrain from voluntarily affording all possible encouragement to peace societies. The same may be said of all missionary societies, and societies for propagating the gospel. Should these all cordially co-operate, they must form a most powerful association.

But our hopes and expectations are not limited here. The societies of Friends and Shakers will come in of course, and cordially contribute to the glorious object. May we not also expect a ready acquiescence from the particular churches, of every denomination in the land? And why may we not look to the various literary and political societies, for aid in a plan, which has the security, the peace, and the happiness of the world for its object.

That there are obstacles and objections to be encountered we cannot deny; but it is confidently believed, that there are none insurmountable; because God will aid in such a cause, and the time is at hand, when his prediction shall be fulfilled.

As the object is not of a party nature, and as party distinctions and party purposes have been excluded from the discussion, it is hoped no objection will arise from the present state of political parties in this country. The supposed delusion in respect to war, is confined to no nation, nor to any political sect in any country. What has been said on the subject has not been designed for the purpose of reproach against any class of men; but with a desire to befriend and benefit all who have not examined the subject; and to rouse christians to one united and vigorous effort to bless the world with peace.

An eloquent speech, delivered by Mr. Wilberforce in the British Parliament, in favor of propagating christianity in India, with a view to abolish buman sacrifices in that country, contains some observations, which we hope he will repeat in the same house on the present subject:

"It was," said he, "formerly my task to plead the cause of a people, whose woes affected every heart, and who were finally rescued from the situation in which they groaned, by the abolition of the slave trade. That cause was doubtless the cause of suffering humanity; but I declare, that if we entirely exclude the consideration of religion, humanity appears to me to be still more concerned in the cause I am now pleading, than in that for which I was formerly the advocate."-" I, for my part, consider it as absolute blasphemy to believe that that great Being, to whom we owe our existence, has doomed so large a portion of mankind to remain forever

in that state in which we see the natives of India at this day. I am confident bis providence has furnished remedies fitted to the case, and I hold it to be our duty to apply them. And I am satisfied, that not only may this be safely attempted but that its accomplishment will be in the highest degree beneficial."

May God grant that this powerful advocate for "suffering humanity" may have his heart fervently engaged for the abolition of the war trade. Here he may find a new and ample field for the display of his piety, his philanthrophy and his eloquence. With the greatest propriety he may state, that the miseries, occasioned by the universal custom of war, are far more dreadful, than those occasioned by either of the limited customs, for the abolition of which he has so honorably and successfully contended.

If it would be blasphemy to believe that God has doomed so great a portion of his creatures, as the natives of India, to remain forever the subjects of their present delusions respecting human sacrifices; can it be less than blasphemy to believe that he has doomed not only all Christendom, but all the nations of the earth, to be for ever so deluded, as to support the most desolating custom, which ever resulted from human depravity, or which ever afflicted the race of Adam? Here with sincerity I can adopt the words of Mr. Wilberforce-"I am confident that his providence has furnished remedies fitted to the case; and I hold it to be our duty to apply them."

I have till now avoided the mention of our present war, that nothing should appear calculated to excite party feelings. But as the present calamity is severely felt, I must be permitted to express my hope, that the af fiction will favor the present object. If our distresses may be the occasion of opening the eyes of this people to see the delusions of war in general, and of exciting them to suitable exertions to prevent a return of such à calamity, an important benefit may result not only to posterity, but to the world. For if suitable exertions should be made in this country, the influence will not be bounded by the Atlantic; it will cross the ocean, and find its way into the Bible Societies, and other religious societies in Great Britain, and on the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa. Nor will it be many years

before it will find access to the houses of legislation and the palaces of kings.

Here christians of every sect may find an object worthy of their attention, and in which they may cordially unite. For this object they may with propriety leave behind all party zeal and party distinctions, and bury their animosities in one united effort, to give peace to the world.

Let lawyers, politicians and divines, and men of every class who can write or speak, consecrate their talents to the diffusion of light, and love, and peace. Should there be an effort, such as the object demands, God will grant his blessing, posterity will be grateful, heaven will be filled with joy and praise, and "the sword shall not deYour forever."

SECTION VIII.

Let not the universality of the custom be regarded as an objection to making the attempt. If the custom be wicked and destructive, the more universal, the more important is a reformation. If war is ever to be set aside, an effort must some time be made; and why not now, as well as at any future day? What objection can now be stated, which may not be brought forward at any af er period?

If men must have objects for the display of heroism,let their intrepidity be shown in firmly meeting the formidable prejudices of a world in favor of war. Here is an opportunity for the display of such heroism as will occasion no remorse on a dying bed, and such as God will approve at the final reckoning. In this cause, ardent zeal, genuine patriotism, undaunted fortitude, the spirit of enterprize, and every quality of mind worthy of a hero, may be gloriously displayed. Who ever displayed a more heroic spirit than Saint Paul? For such heroism and love of country as he displayed, the object now proposed will open the most ample field at home and abroad.

That there is nothing in the nature of mankind, which renders war necessary and unavoidable-nothing which inclines them to it, which may not be overcome by the power of education, may appear from what is discoverable in the two sects already mentioned. The Quakers and Shakers are of the same nature with other people,

"men of like passions" with those who uphold the cus tom of war. All the difference between them and others results from education and habit. The principles of their teachers are diffused through their societies, impressed on the minds of old and young; and an aversion to war and violence is excited, which becomes habitual, and has a governing influence on their hearts, their pas sions and their lives.

If then it has been proved to be possible, by the force education, to produce such an aversion to war, that people will not even defend their own lives by acts of violence; shall it be thought impossible by similar means, to destroy the popularity of offensive war, and exclude the deadly custom from the abodes of men?

The following things will perhaps be generally admitted; that the christian religion has abolished the practice of enslaving captives, and in several respects mitigated the evils of war, by introducing milder usages; that if the temper of our Savior should universally prevail a mong men, wars must cease to the ends of the earth; that the scriptures give reason to hope such a time of peace will result from the influence of the christian religion.

If these views and expectations are well founded, does it not follow of course, that the spirit and custom of war is directly opposed to the principles and spirit of the gospel; that in proportion as the gospel has its proper effect on the minds of men, an aversion to war must be excited; and that it is the duty of every christian to do all in his power to bring the custom into disrepute, and to effect its abolition?

Can it be consistent with due regard to the gospel, for christians to hold their peace, while they see a custom prevailing, which annually sweeps off myriads of their brethren, hurrying them into eternity by violence and murder? Can they forbear to exert themselves, to put an end to this voluntary plague? Can we feel a conviction that war is in its nature opposed to the principles and spirit of our religion, and that it is the purpose of God to put an end to this scourge by the influence of the gospel; and still sleep on without any effort to produce the effect, which we believe is intended by our heavenly Father? If the christian religion is to put an end to war, it